Universal joint



W. H. THIEMER UNIVERSAL JOINT Feb. 12.,"19242 Filed Nov. 1'7 1922 Q Q Q jin/Pfff@ emerse Een. is, ieee.

WILLIAM H. THIEMER, 0F CLEVELAND, (H110, ASSIGNOE TQFREDERIGK W. PETER-S,

QT. E. WILLS, AND HMSELF, ALL OFCLEVELAND, OHIO. 'j

UNIVERSAL Jorrrr.

Application led November 17, 1922,: Serial No. 601,459.

To all @07mm t may concern:

Be it known that l, lViLLmM H. Tir-limiten, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State oi' Ohio, have invente-d a certain new and useful Improvement in Universal Joints,

of which the following is a full, cleaigand exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. v

This invention relates to universal joints, and more particularly to the means for assembling the yoke arms upon the trunnions of the cross members. A further object of the inventionl is to construct a joint oi this a joint constructed in accordance with myv invention; and Fig. 2 a sectional view corresponding to the lme 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Describing by reference characters they various parts iliustated-herein, 1 and 2 de note a pair of hubs adapted to be applied to the opposed ends ofshaft sections (not shown), each hub carrying a yoke comprising p. pair of arms' 3, each arm having formed therewith a bearing block 1. Each hub is shown as formed integrally with its yoke arms, andthe bearing blocks for each yoke are provided each with a bore 5 for a bearing bushing-.6.

The arms -3 `nroject nearly parallel inthe direction of the hub and are symmetrical, whereby the bores 5 may be formed by linereaniing both arms. That is to Say, the journal` holes in the arms may be bored by a single continuous operation of a single reamer, or by a double reamer on a single arbor, using a suitable pilot or pilots; rThis manner of line-learning insures that the axes of the bearing bores 5 will be in a true line, securing accuracy of tit for the trunnion bushings and preventing lateral thrust of such trunnions against the ends of the bores. After `the hearing blocks have been thus roamed, the bores will be threaded in their exterior portions, as indicated at 7. Y The cross 1s shown as made of one piece and isl of the lubricating type, having a central receptacle or well 8 from which there project cross arms 9, each having an inwardly' rounded shoulder 10 and a relatively reduced hollow trunnion 11. Each trunnion is mounted within a bearing bushing V6, each bushinghaving a threaded portion 12V cooperating with the thread 7 in its bearing block and being provided at its outer end with a Hangs adapted to engage with its inner face the outer face of said bearing block. Each Vflange is provided with an external thread 14. j

The main bore 6a of eachbushing preferably is extended slightly beyond the outer end ot' its cooperating trunnion 11 and is there formed into a hexagonal recess 15, said recess extending to the vouter end of the bushing andk constituting awell for lubricant that may pass the pad (to be described hereinafter) as well as a socket for the reception of a wrench or similar tool. The inner end of each bushing is provided with an annular recess 16 at its inner face, the said recess being adapted to receive a ring 17 ci felt, Vor similar absorbent material, the saidring serving to prevent leakage of lubricant between the inner end of the bushing and the outeriace of the cooperating shoulder 10. The length of the cylindrical portion 6 ot each bushing is such that, when the ilange 13 is screwed home upon theouter face of its bearing block 4 there will be a slight clearancer between the innerv end of said bushing and its cooperating shoulder 10, this clearance .enabling the ring 17 to be compressed against said shoulder through the adjustment of the bushing and thus enabling a leak-proof jointto be formed by the ring between each trunnion and bushing.

llithin the outer end of the cylindrical bore (ifLV and 4bearing against the outer end of the bushing 11 is a pad 18 of felt, or similar absorbent material. This pad is retained in place and the outer end of each arm-.and-

bushing assembly is closed by means of a capl 19 having an inwardly extending hexagonal portion 2O adapted to be received within a recess 15 and to bear at its inner end against the pad-18. Each cap is provided with an annular. flange 21 having a thread In order to secure the proper locking ot' the bushing and cap, the threads 7T and l2 are reversely arranged with respect to the threads Hand 22. ln practice, the tormcr threads are right-hand threads and the latter are lett-hand threads. By this arrangement, each bushingti will be locked in place by its cap and will also serve to lock its cap in place; any unscrewing movement or" either the bushing oi' its cap will result in a tendency to tighten the other member or part.

The joint as a whole is capable o't economical production, but is markedly eiiicient in securingl etlicient klubrication oit the parts andis capable oi rapid and convenient assem'bling` and disassembling. Furthermore, thefinaiinei 'of forming and connecting` the bushings and caps enables the latter to perform their functions with no unnecessary eX- tension thereof beyond the be ai'ing blocks.

fHaving thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. In auniversal joint, the combination ot' a bearing` block having a bore therethrough provided with a thread within its outer portion, a cross member having` a trunnio'n adapted to be received within said i bore, said trunnion being` provided with a shoulder, a bushing having a lange adapted to rest 'upon the outer'end of the bearing` block and havin-g a threaded portion adjacent to said [flange and adapted to engage the threaded portion of said bore, said bushing' adapted to surround said trunnion and there "being .packing` interposed between the inner end of the said truniiion and the said shoulder, the yperipheral portion of said flange being threaded reverselyk from the other .portion of said bushing, and a cap having;- a flange provided with `a thread adapted to mesh with the last-mentioned thread.

2. In a universal joint, 4the combination of a bearing' block having a threaded bore, a cross member having a trunnion adapted lo be received within said bore, a bushing havinf: a flange adapted to rest upon the outer end of the bearing block and having;- ka thread adapted to engage the threaded portion ot said bore` said bushingadapted to surround said trunnion and the peripheral portion of said tlangge being rthreaded reversely 'troni the other portion thereof, and a cap having' a thread adapted to mesh with Vthe last mentioned thread.

In a universal joint., the combination of 'a bearing' tblock having a bore therethrough provided with a thread within its outer portion, a cross member having a trunnion adapted to be received within said bore, said triinnion beiiigr provided with a shoulder, Ya bus'hin'g lhaving a iiauge adapted 'to rest ifiponthe oii'teren'd et the bearing block and havingY a threaded portion 'adjacent said flange adapted to en je thelthreaded"portion ot said bore, said bushing` adapted to Surround said trunnion and there being packing interposed between the inner end ot the said trunnion and the said shoulder, the peripheral portion of said flange being threaded reversely from the other portion ot' said bushing, a cap having a flange provided with a thread adapted to mesh with the thread on said bushing` ilange, said cap being provided with a central inwardly projecting portion, and a pad extendingacross the outer end ot said trunnion and adapted to be engaged b v sucl projecting portion ot said capi, the cross member being;` provided with a lubricant well and the tiunnion havingr a central bore coinmun'icating` with suoli well.

4. In a universal joint, the combination oit' a bearing block havingr a bore therethrough provided with a thread within its outer portion, a cross member having a trunnion adapted to be received within said bore` said trunnion being provided with shoulder, a bushing having a ilange adapted to rest upon the outer end of the bearing' block and having a threaded portion adjacent to said flange and adapted to engage the threaded portion oi" said bore, said bushingadapted to surround said trunnion and there being packing interposed between the inner end of the said trunnion and the said shoulder, a cap having a flange provided with a thread adapted to mesh with the thread on said bushing* flange, said cap being` `provided with a central inwardly projecting port-ion, and a pad extending; across the outer end ot said truiiiiion and adapted to be engaged by such projecting2 portion ot said cap,^the cross member being provided with a lubricant well and the trunnion having' a central. vportion communicating with suoli well.

Tn a universal joint. the combination oi a bearing block having a bore therethrough. the outer end portion oiC said bore being threaded, a cross member having a lubricant well provided with a trunnioiiY having a bore communicating with said well and .adapted lo be received within the 'said bore, r:a bushing adapted to receive said trunn'ion 'tlieiiewithin and having a threaded portion by which it is secured within said bore. the 'said bushingN extending beyond the cud ot vthe said trunnion and forming a well therewith` a pad within 'said well adapted to 'engage the outerend of the trunnion. and a cap` adjustablvv mounted upon the said bushing and havingf an linwardly projectingP `portion `adapted to force the said pad against the outer "end of'sa'id trunnion.

6. In 'a universal joint, the combination of a 'bearing block ,having a 'bore therethrough the outer Aend of said bore being threaded a `cross member having central lubricant svell and a trunni'on provided with "a bore connnunieating with said well., the said trunnion being adapted to be received within said bore, a bushing having an external threaded portion arranged to cooperate with the threaded'portion ot said bore and having its inner surface itting about said trunnion, there 4being a well provided beyondthe outer end of said trunnion, and a cap for closing said well, the said cap being threaded on the bushing and the threads by which the cap and bushing are connected being reversely arranged `with respect to the threads b v which the bushing and the bearing block are connected.

7. In a universal joint, the combination of a bearing block having a bore therethrough, the outer end of said bore being threaded, a cross member having a central lubricant well and a trunnion provided with a bore communicating with said well, the said trunynion being adapted to be received within said bore, a bushing having an external threaded portion arranged to cooperate with the threaded portion ot said bore and having its inner surface litting about saidtrunnien, there being a well provided within said Vbushing beyond the ontervend of said trunnion, a cap for closing said well, the said cap being thraded on the bushing and the threads by which the cap and bushing are connected being reversely arranged with respect to the threads by which the bushing and the bearing block are connected, and a pad on the outer end of said trunnion, the cap 'having a portion adapted to engage said pad and to compress the same upon such trunnion end.

8. In a universal joint, the combination of a bearing block having a bore provided with a thread in its outer portion, a cross member having a trunnion adapted to be received within said bore, a bushing adapted to surround and to receive said trunnion and having a threaded portion cooperating with the threaded portion of said bore and a flange i adapted to rest upon the outer face ot said block, the peripheral face of said flange being threaded and the said bushing having beyond the end of the trunnion, an angular well. a cap having a central inwardly kprojecting angular socket adapted to Y be received within said well and having a peripheral iiange. provided with an internal thread to cooperate with the peripheral thread on the bushing flange, the threads on said anges being reversely arranged with respect to the threads on the bearing block and bushing bore, and a pad of absorbent material eX- tending across the outer end of said trunnion and adapted to be engaged by the socket projection of rsaid cap, the said cross member having a central lubricant Well and the trunnion a bore'conimunicating with such well.

9. in a universal joint, the combination ot a bearing bloeit having a bore provided with a thread, a bushing having a thread cooperating with said bore, a cross member having a central well and a trunnion provided with a bore communicating with said well., the bi'ishing being adapted to receive the trunnion directly therewithin and being provided with an angular well beyond suoli bushing, and a cap for olosingsaid well and threaded upon the outer portion of said bushing, the said cap having an angular socket projecting thereinto, and a packing ot absorbent material interposed between such socket projection and the outer end of the trunnion;

10. ln a universal oint, the combination ot a bearing block having a bore provided with athread in its outer portion, a cross member having a trunnion adapted to be received within said bore, a bushing adapted to surround and to receive said trunnion and having threaded portion cooperating with the threaded portion of said bore and a flange adapted to rest upon the outer face of said block, the peripheral face of said lange'being threaded and the said bushing having a well therein beyond the end of the trunnion, a cap having a central inwardly7 projecting angular socket adapted to be received within said well and having a peripheral flange provided with an internal thread to cooperate with the peripheral thread on the bushing flange, and a pad of absorbent material extending across the outer end of said trunnion and adapted to be engaged by the socket projection of said cap, the said cross mem er having a central lubricant well and the trunnion a bore communicating with such well.

1l. In a universal joint, the combination of a bearing block having a bore provided with a thread, a bushing having a thread cooperating with .said bore` a cross member having a central well and a trunnion provided with a bore communicating with said well, the bushing being adapted to receive the trunnion directly therewithin and being provided with an angular well beyond such bushing, and a cap for closing-said well and threaded upon the outer portion of said bushing, the said cap having a portion adapted to project into said well, and a packing of absorbent material. interposed between such projecting portion and the outer end of the trunnion.

In testimony whereof, I hereuntoaiiix my signature.

' WILLIAM H., THIEMER. 

